Leinster honours for Dunne and Curley

Newly-crowned Dublin masters' cross-country champion John Dunne of Raheny Shamrock added the Leinster title to his collection in Dunboyne.

Winning the women's title was Tullamore's evergreen Pauline Curley, who must be favourite to regain the national title in Waterford next month.

The top three in the men's race were resuming battle after the Dublin Championships only a week earlier in St Anne's Park, when Shane O'Neill of Rathfarnham WSAF was forced to drop out.

This time there was no stopping the Rathfarnham man and he chased Dunne right to the finish line. Dunne came home first in 20 mins 28 secs, with O'Neill two seconds behind for second and Raheny's Ian Conroy just two seconds behind again for third.

Raheny finished best of the fifteen teams, with Portlaoise second and Ferbane third.

Equally close was the women's race where Curley was pushed hard by Kilmore's Jackie Carthy with only two seconds in it. Third was Karen Costello of Dunleer.

In the older age groups, Ann Sullivan of DMP finished first W55, with Nuala Reilly and Brigid McCabe, both over 60 second and third. Tullamore won the team title from Drogheda and District.

Winning the intermediate races were Sinead Tangney of Sportsworld and Stephen Conroy of Celbridge, who were both leading their clubs to team victory.

Next up for the inter runners is Sunday's Irish Life Heatlh National Championships in Tuam.